ONE OF the largest employers in the midwest is expected to confirm a cut in its operation today. However, claims that aircraft maintenance firm Shannon Aerospace will axe 184 jobs have been discounted.
Staff have been called to a meeting at the airport-based facility at 9.30am where workers will be told how many will be let go. While an exact figure for the number employed at the plant was unavailable yesterday, it is known that in May, Shannon Aerospace employed 783 people including 137 trainees.
There had been speculation up to six weeks ago that the company planned to lay off workers. According to reliable sources however, the company has been very busy in recent weeks and was anxious to complete contracts before an announcement was made.
Staff have heard that between 70 and 184 jobs could be lost at the plant. However sources say that the figure of 184, widely reported yesterday, is “over exaggerated”.
It is known that some staff have been working “short time” in recent weeks while other employees have been undertaking Fás training courses in preparation for today’s announcement.
The company says it is not in a position to comment about any announcement without speaking to workers first. A spokeswoman would only say: “Shannon Aerospace Ltd will be making a statement in relation to a reorganisation of the company and announcing plans for sustaining a viable business in the Shannon region on Thursday morning, 21st October.”
Clare Fine Gael TD Pat Breen was ruled out of order when he tried to raise the matter during Order of Business in the Dáil yesterday. Deputy Breen sought to ask the Taoiseach whether the Government had any prior notification or early warning about the imminent announcement.
“This is another major blow for the airport and the region and a terrible body blow to the misfortunate staff who have yet to be told what the future holds for them. Yet again the Government has ignored the midwest and I want to know whether the Taoiseach or the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment had any advance notice in relation to this announcement and whether they could have acted earlier to save these jobs,” Mr Breen said.
Mayor of Shannon, Cllr Tony Mulcahy, has confirmed that he has received an invitation from Shannon Aerospace chief executive Thomas Rueckert to meet this afternoon. The mayor said: “We will have to wait and see what jobs will be lost and hopefully the figure will be minimal.”